Insane Clown Posse is closing in on being a hip hop dynasty that’s 30 years strong. Born in Detroit in 1989, ICP-mania seemed to kick off with the 1992 release of Carnival of Carnage, their debut album. I’m not sure if it’s because I grew up in the midwest, so we were vaguely close to Detroit, or what, but it seemed like by the time The Great Milenko rolled around in the late 90’s, everyone knew ICP. Since then, the band has been parodied number of times including on Saturday Night Live and on Workaholics (among many others) and their fan following seems like it’s only getting stronger. I’ve been to a number of Insane Clown Posse shows, and honestly, they’re unlike anything else on this planet. Imagine listening to music so loud you can’t hear yourself think, while you’re being soaked to the bone in soda sprayed from the stage, surrounded by the nicest people you will ever meet. I don’t even particularly like ICP’s music, but I love their concerts. Juggalos (ICP fans) all consider each other family, and treat each other accordingly. It’s real, real weird experiencing this first hand- Particularly if your whole understanding of juggalo culture is based on stereotypes and assumptions.
Insane Clown Posse seems to just be constantly touring, but the crown jewel of their entire schedule is the Gathering of the Juggalos, hosted annually around this time every year. It actually just started today, and to coin...